I’ve decided to put up a special post for each finished object (FO) I make, describing the yarn, needles, and construction for anyone who may be interested in the knitting process.  Here’s my first attempt!

Yarn:  Ella Rae Bamboo Silk, about 700 yards

Needles:  32 and 24 inch size 6, 32 and 24 inch size 4, 16 inch size 6, 16 inch size 3

Construction:  I started this sweater with a provisional cast on at the upper back and shoulders, and knit flat in stockinette stitch, increasing where needed for the underarms.  Then I put the live stitches on a piece of scrap yarn and picked up stitches at either side of the provisional cast on for the two sides of the front v-neck.  I knit each side separately until they reached the same length as the back, and joined the three pieces at the underarms.  Then I knit flat in one piece for a few inches, inserting short row bust shaping and bust and waist darts where needed.  I joined the body in the round where I wanted the dramatic v-neck to start, then knit in the round to the hip, increasing slightly for the lower body.  I did some short row shaping to create a slight shirt-tail shape, then switched to smaller needles and worked the lace pattern at the hem.  The set-in style sleeves were picked up and knit from the armholes, using short rows to create the tapered shape, and the lace added to the sleeve hems.  Finally I picked up and knit stitches all around the neckline edge and worked the lace detail, and used mattress stitch to sew the lace to the base of the v-neck.

I like this style for Nancy because it’s sleek, young, and doesn’t look twee the way some handknits do.  I chose a yarn that I thought she would like, very drapey and with a silky hand.  I liked working with it okay, but it was so slippery it kept knotting up in the ball if I wound it with my ball winder and swift rather than by hand.

This is only the second large garment I’ve made as a gift for someone – generally I give away smaller things like hats and gloves, but Nancy is my new sister-in-law and I wanted her to have something really special.  I hope you enjoy wearing your sweater, Nancy!  It was knitted with love and passion.